Texas Civil Service Chapter 143 Civil Service Law Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A newly hired police officer, who is not required to attend a basic training academy, begins their employment on February 1st. According to Chapter 143, what is the standard duration of this officer's probationary period during which they do not have full civil service protection?
- Six months from the date of employment.
- One year from the date of employment. (Correct answer)
- 180 days from the date of employment.
- Until they complete their first performance review.
Correct answer: One year from the date of employment.
Texas Local Government Code Section 143.027(a) specifies that a person appointed to a beginning position in the police or fire department must serve a probationary period of one year from their date of employment.
Question 2: A police chief needs to suspend an officer for a violation of a civil service rule. The chief wishes to impose a suspension that does not require an immediate written statement to the Civil Service Commission and is not considered an indefinite suspension. What is the maximum length of this type of suspension under Chapter 143?
- 10 working days
- 30 calendar days
- 15 calendar days (Correct answer)
- 3 calendar days
Correct answer: 15 calendar days
Under Texas Local Government Code Section 143.052(b), the head of a police or fire department may suspend an employee for a reasonable period not to exceed 15 calendar days. An indefinite suspension is equivalent to dismissal and has different procedural requirements.
Question 3: Which of the following is explicitly forbidden by Chapter 143 from being part of a competitive promotional examination?
- Questions derived from departmental standard operating procedures.
- An assessment of seniority.
- A written test on technical knowledge.
- An oral interview. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An oral interview.
Texas Local Government Code Section 143.032(c) states that the promotional examination must be entirely in writing and may not in any part consist of an oral interview. While seniority points are added to the score, they are separate from the examination itself.
Question 4: A police officer has been employed with the department for 18 months and wishes to take the promotional examination for the rank of Sergeant. Assuming the officer is in the classification immediately below Sergeant, which of the following is true regarding their eligibility?
- The officer is eligible because they have served more than one year.
- The officer is not eligible because they must have at least three years of service.
- The officer is not eligible because they have not served at least two years in the department in the next lower position. (Correct answer)
- The officer is eligible, but will not receive any seniority points.
Correct answer: The officer is not eligible because they have not served at least two years in the department in the next lower position.
Texas Local Government Code Section 143.028(b) requires that a police officer is not eligible for promotion unless they have served in the department in the next lower position for at least two years immediately before the date of the promotional exam.
Question 5: A firefighter, while off-duty and in civilian clothes, engages in several activities related to a local mayoral election. Which of the following activities is a violation of the political activity restrictions outlined in Chapter 143?
- Contributing personal funds to their preferred candidate's campaign.
- Taking an active part in a political campaign, such as making a political speech. (Correct answer)
- Placing a candidate's sign on the lawn of their private residence.
- Casting their vote on election day.
Correct answer: Taking an active part in a political campaign, such as making a political speech.
Texas Local Government Code Section 143.086 prohibits a fire fighter or police officer from taking an active part in another person's political campaign. The statute defines 'taking an active part' to include activities such as making a political speech or distributing political literature. The other activities are generally considered protected personal rights.
Question 6: Under Chapter 143, what is the required first step for a police officer to initiate a formal grievance procedure?
- Requesting a hearing directly with the Civil Service Commission.
- Submitting an oral complaint to their immediate supervisor.
- Filing a written step I grievance form with their department head or departmental grievance counselor. (Correct answer)
- Contacting the Civil Service Director to schedule mediation.
Correct answer: Filing a written step I grievance form with their department head or departmental grievance counselor.
Texas Local Government Code Section 143.128 states that to begin a grievance action, the employee must file a completed written step I grievance form with their department head or departmental grievance counselor within 30 days of the incident.
